Summary
On May 29, 2011, a Cessna 140 (N89424) was involved in an incident near Chickaloon, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper decision to take off downwind from unsuitable terrain.
The private pilot was departing from a short, rough, field. He said he elected to depart with a tailwind due to the slope of the takeoff area. About 100 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a stronger tailwind, and stopped climbing. The pilot did not turn away from the rising terrain because he thought the airplane would stall. The airplane was unable to out-climb the rising terrain, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC11CA040. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N89424.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper decision to take off downwind from unsuitable terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The private pilot was departing from a short, rough, field. He said he elected to depart with a tailwind due to the slope of the takeoff area. About 100 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a stronger tailwind, and stopped climbing. The pilot did not turn away from the rising terrain because he thought the airplane would stall. The airplane was unable to out-climb the rising terrain, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC11CA040